For starters, an expository essay is an essay where you need to objectively “expose” different aspects of some topic and explore, explain, and define facts for the reader. This essay format is quite systematic, as you need to provide all the information and arguments available in a coherent way. The author must be as objective as possible not expressing their personal attitude and trying to convince anyone. For instance, if your topic is to compare online and offline education, you need to state what both forms are, define their peculiarities, pros and cons.
Here you can find a guide on how to write this essay. In case you do not have time to immerse into the topic you were assigned, you can alwaysuse an academic essay writing service.
An expository essay is often confused with an argumentative essay. However, the later type’s goal is to convince, lead to a certain point of view. Returning to the topic of offline vs online education, in an argumentative essay, you would need to choose your position and persuade the reader, providing arguments, that online or offline form is better than the other one. An expository essay, on the contrary, does not try to convince anyone; it is neutral, often written in third person and is objective.
Let us focus now on the steps to write an expository essay successfully.
1. Choose a Topic.
Most probably, you are already given a topic to write about, so you may proceed to the next steps. However, if you need to choose it by yourself, make sure you are familiar with the topic, so that it would be easier for you to do the research and express the ideas. Otherwise, it would be hard for you to understand the material, let alone to organize the essay and convey the information. You may start from making a list of all the possible topics you know. Then choose one of them, which sounds the easiest and most interesting to you. Moreover, you should consider how easy it is to do the research and how it is possible for you to write about it.
2. Choose the method
Depending on the topic, you may also pick a method to write. In the essay, you can compare and contrast ideas, talk about cause and effect of some issue or provide all the possible solution to this issue. You may combine these methods, but make sure your words are consistent.
3. Explore the topic
Earlier we advised to focus on the topic,with which you are familiar. Now, despite the fact you are aware of the chosen issue, you still need to do some research. It is always better to show your deep knowledge of the topic and support the information you provide with evidences and citations. Start from reading many credible sources and take notes while reading. At this stage, you may also choose the examples suitable for your case. These could be some common or rare issues outlined as examples.
- Outline the structure
Having gathered the ideas and examples, you may go to the next step – outlining the essay.
The structure is quite typical. You will need to have a five-paragraph essay consisting of an introduction, three main body and a conclusion. In the introduction, you need to present the topic. Try to do it in a compelling way to grasp your readers’ attention. Feel free to include some quote or catching phrase to make your readers curious about your essay. Next, you will need to bring your thesis statement. Here you just say what your essay is about, what your aim was, what aspects you are going to highlight and why it is important to investigate the issue.
The introduction is followed by the main body, which is commonly divided into three paragraphs. Here you will need to provide all your observations, evidences, and examples.
In conclusion, you sum up your findings, emphasize the importance of your research and say about the need to continue studying this issue/topic.
- Write the draft
When you outlined the structure, it is easier to start writing. You may start from the main body and then return to the introduction and thesis. Yet, writing from the beginning could help you have in mind the complete vision of your essay. Thus, you will be focused andwill not get confused on the way.
Do not forget to use linking words to help ideas coincide and make the text coherent. Connect sentences with words like “however”, “moreover”, “such as”, etc.
- Edit
After you completed you draft, check the whole essay. Read it out loud and see if the text is smooth. Maybe you need to change something, add more information or correct grammar mistakes. You can also have somebody proofread the text for you.
Now you know how to approach your writing assignment. Good luck with it! Just make sure you have enough time to meet deadline and complete the essay successfully.
